Faces is the tenth studio album, a double-LP by R&B artists Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1980 on ARC/Columbia Records. The album reached number 2 and number 10 on the Billboard Black and Pop albums charts.

It has been certified gold in the US by the RIAA. In a 2007 interview when asked which EWF album is his favorite Earth, Wind & Fire leader Maurice White replied “Probably Faces because we were really in tune, playing together and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas”.The lead-off single was “Let Me Talk”. The songs “You”, and “Sparkle” followed as single releases. Unlike previous Earth, Wind and Fire albums, there was no U.S. tour in support of the album. This was also the last Earth Wind and Fire recording with guitarist Al McKay, who left the group the next year. This album is noted for featuring Steve Lukather, guitarist for EWF’s label mate Toto, on the songs “Back on the Road” and “You Went Away”. (more…)

I Am is the ninth studio album by the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released on June 9, 1979 on CBS Records. The album features the singles “Boogie Wonderland” with The Emotions and “After the Love Has Gone”. I Am has been certified double platinum in the US by the RIAA and platinum in the UK and in Canada by the British Phonographic Industry and Music Canada. (more…)

Spirit is the seventh studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1976 on Columbia Records. The album reached number 2 on the Billboard Pop and R&B Albums Chart and has been certified double platinum in the US by the RIAA. Charles Stepney died during the sessions for Spirit, and Maurice White took over fully the arranging and production duties for the band. (more…)

Last Days and Time is the third studio album by American R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1972, their first on Columbia Records. It was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California. (more…)

Head to the Sky is the 4th studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1973. Their second album on Columbia Records, Head to the Sky was EWF’s first commercially successful album and it has been certified platinum in the United States for sales of over a million copies by the RIAA. (more…)

That’s the Way of the World is a 1975 album by Earth, Wind & Fire released on Columbia Records. It was also the soundtrack for a 1975 motion picture of the same name which featured several of the band members in cameo roles. Included on the album was the single “Shining Star”, which was a #1 U.S. pop and R&B hit. Another popular single was the title track, which reached #12 on the pop chart. The album spent three weeks atop the Billboard Pop Albums Charts, five nonconsecutive weeks atop the Soul Albums chart.That’s the Way of the World was also the third best-selling pop album and the number one best-selling R&B album of 1975 respectively and has been certified triple platinum in the U.S by the RIAA.In 2003, the album was ranked number 493 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2012, on a revised list by the magazine, the album listed at #486.

А 1975 cull film long out of print, That’s The Way Of The World starred a young Harvey Keitel as an impassioned record company executive caught up in the politics of race, power and ambition. Earth, Wind & Fire, cast as a hungry band of hopefuls, were the pawns in a ruthless game. The film may have faded but the group’s score was larger than life. Newly mastered with previously unreleased demos of “Shining Star,” “All About Love” and the original bossa nova version of “That’s The Way Of The World,” this meditation on the rules of living ranks as one of pop’s great masterworks. Simple Truths For The Ways Of The World. (more…)

This isn’t really a major archival release, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an enjoyable one, either. Capturing a series of highlights from Earth Wind & Fire’s breakthrough 1975 tour — all selected by Maurice White — That’s the Way of the World may not have the ebb and flow of a proper live set, but it does have the advantage of burning bright consistently throughout the record. This isn’t just because of White’s very selections, but because this is when EWF was at their peak as a white-hot funk band, laying down tight, monstrous grooves and turning out lively, interesting jams on top of that. All of that is captured well on this nine-track live album (not counting the “Overture” and “Interlude”); even when the group brings down the tempo on “Reasons” and “That’s the Way of the World,” the music doesn’t turn flaccid — it still smolders. This doesn’t quite mean it’s an earth-shattering release, but it’s a fun record, something that the group’s fans — particularly those who loved the group’s early peak years — will surely dig. (more…)

With That’s the Way of the World having made Earth, Wind & Fire one of the best-selling soul bands of the 1970s, Maurice White and co. had no problem filling large arenas. As dynamic as EWF was on-stage, it’s a shame that there isn’t more documentation of the band’s live show. Only one live EWF album was released by a major label in America, the superb Gratitude. First a two-LP set and later reissued on CD, Gratitude brilliantly captures the excitement EWF generated on-stage at its creative peak. Neither hardcore EWF devotees nor more casual listeners should deprive themselves of the joys of the live versions of “Shining Star” and “Yearnin’ Learnin’.” Maurice White is magnificent throughout, and Philip Bailey truly soars on extended versions of “Reasons” (which boasts a memorable alto sax solo by guest Don Myrick) and “Devotion.” The album also introduced some excellent new studio songs, including the haunting “Can’t Hide Love” and the uplifting “Sing a Song.” One could nitpick and wish for live versions of “Evil,” “Keep Your Head to the Sky,” and “Kalimba Song,” but the bottom line is that Gratitude is one of EWF’s finest accomplishments. (more…)

All ‘N All is the eighth studio album by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in 1977 on Columbia Records. It is one of the group’s most well known albums and has been certified triple platinum in the United States for sales of three million copies by the RIAA, gold in Canada by Music Canada and silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry. (more…)